The live-action we’ve been talking about for a long time Stranger Things The spinoff series has been officially revealed by Netflix. Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventureco-created by Kate Trefry and The Duffer Brothers and directed by Joe Wright, is a prequel set in the 1950s, before Stranger Things and before the play Stranger Things: The First Shadow. It will premiere in 2028.
A teaser, which you can watch below, provides more information about the setting of the branching – both in terms of time, April 19, 1955, and location, Marion, Nevada. It features a deserted bike near a restricted area at night, with city lights in the distance and an ominous disturbance in the sky that looks like a wormhole creation.
The spinoff has been in the works for several years, with Matt and Ross Duffer admitting to having had the idea since Season 4 of the parent series released in summer 2022. “We’re moving forward. Netflix, they finally know what it is,” Matt Duffer told Deadline last November.
And while the creative auspices of Other worlds all point out that it will feature “an entirely new story”, “new characters, themes and mythology”, its connection to the Tony Award-winning film. The first shadow is undeniable. Long lasting Stranger Things writer Trefry wrote the play based on a story by her, the Duffer Brothers and Jack Thorne.
The new series is set in Nevada and takes place just a few years before the events of the Nevada Experiment. The first shadow. In an interview with Variety last November, Matt Duffer revealed that the spinoff would explain the rock that young Henry Creel found in a scientist’s briefcase in the Nevada caves, and which was first introduced in The first shadow before being featured in season 5 of Stranger things, adding that the new series will “address some of the discussions that remain.”
The teaser song, “Sh-Boom” by The Chords, is also linked to young Henry. He stars in season 5, episode 4 of Stranger Things when Max visits Henry Creel’s memorial at Hawkins High, a setting also originally from The first shadow.
And while Marion, Nevada doesn’t seem related to the play, which is set in Rachel, Lincoln County, Nevada, as well as Hawkins, Indiana, that could change.
Netflix filmed several performances of the The first shadow in February. A viewer who attended one of the tapings after watching the play several times before, shared his confusion about the location change to Marion, Nevada for the filming. The TV version of The first shadowwhich would include adjustments better aligning the game with Stranger Things Season 5 is not yet scheduled for release, but Netflix will likely use it to connect the mothership series and the prequel.
A recording in February of The first shadow starring Marion, NV would also illustrate how long the prequel has been in the making. In September, it was rumored that the project, which was rumored at the time to take place in the world of The first shadow and will be set in the 1950s, is reportedly close to giving the green light for production to begin in 2027. Netflix has not confirmed the revival, waiting to make the announcement on Stranger Things dayon November 6, when Will Byers from the original series disappeared.
Trefry is a writer and showrunner on Other worlds. While the Duffer Brothers co-created and executive produced the series with her, the duo were never going to be day-to-day showrunners on the new series as they are under an exclusive overall deal with Paramount. (Their executive services on everything Stranger Things projects via their Upside Down Pictures come from the pact.)
“We dreamed of Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure for many years now, and to see this become a reality is surreal and exhilarating,” said Matt & Ross Duffer. “We are so grateful to our incredible team of collaborators: our showrunner Kate Trefry, who has been in the trenches with us since Season 2 and wrote Stranger Things: The First Shadow; and our director, Joe Wright, a brilliant artist whose work we have long admired. We can’t wait for you to see what they’re up to. It is Stranger Thingsbut also thrillingly fresh, with a new setting, new heroes and villains, and new… actually, we’re not allowed to say more. Now let’s move on to the casting. In the meantime, watch the sky, nerds! »
Stranger Things Executive producer/director Shawn Levy also recently left Netflix for an overall deal with Disney’s 20th Television. Like the Duffers, he serves as executive producer Other worlds via his 21Laps Entertainment but does not direct. Wright (Pride and prejudice, atonement) is expected to direct the first three episodes and produce the new series. Paul Dichter, Shelley Meals, Andrea Sperling and Pavlina Hatoupis also serve as executive producers.
“Stranger Things has always belonged to the fans, and their passion has made it a global phenomenon,” said Jinny Howe, Head of Scripted Series at Netflix, US and Canada. “Today, on Stranger Things Day, we are honored to once again partner with Matt and Ross Duffer and Kate Trefry to give fans a new dimension of this universe to enter. Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure takes us to the 1950s with new heroes and all the heart, mystery and spectacle of the original series. We’re proud to continue building this world with the Duffers, Kate, Shawn Levy and Joe Wright, and we can’t wait for fans to see what’s next.
This is the latest “first” for Trefry which stems from Stranger Things: she landed her first job as a screenwriter on the series Mothership, wrote her first play with The first shadow and has now created his first series with Other worlds.
“The Duffer Brothers gave me my first paying job in Hollywood, and it’s been a joy and a fever dream ever since,” Trefry said. “Now it is an incredible honor and privilege for me to present this new chapter of Stranger Things to life alongside them and to our incredible director Joe Wright. With the support of Netflix and 21Laps, we had an unforgettable time returning to all the horror, wonder and mystery of the flagship, while telling a whole new story, which we hope will blow your mind and break your heart all over again. There are so many more mysteries to explore. Welcome to Other worlds.”
Created by the Duffer brothers, Stranger Things debuted in 2016 and became Netflix’s first hit series, a global phenomenon with over 1.2 billion views across seasons 1-4.
“All of us at 21 Laps are excited and privileged to continue the storytelling legacy of Stranger Things“, said Levy. “With Other worldsthe Duffer Brothers and Kate Trefry create a new set and adventure infused with the DNA of our flagship series while exploring a new era, a new setting and entirely new characters, themes and mythology – the seeds of which may have been planted in Hawkins, but now venture into other worlds of spectacle, action and emotion.
Other worlds marks the second Stranger Things Television spin-off and third overall, including the stage play The first shadow. The animated Stranger Things: Tales from 1985which fills the gap between seasons 2 and 3 of the original series, has released two seasons and is awaiting a renewal decision.
“Whatever we do next, I’ll tell you this, it’s not going to be set in the ’80s. I think we’re done with the ’80s,” Ross told Deadline last November, with Matt jokingly adding, “Kids on bikes. Probably done with that.”
Judging by the teaser of other worlds, bikes could be back in the picture.
Katie Campione contributed to this report.
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